August 25, 0213 - "Called to Train"

 FROM: Lauren Barden - Taiwan August 25, 0213 - "Called to Train"

Dearest family,
We had a miracle baptism on Saturday night. Her name is Wang JieMei. She is a potential investigator from last year. We contacted her about two weeks ago and the time was right! She loves the Book of Mormon, comes to church, and was very desirous to be baptized - quickly! This beautiful experience reminded Miao JieMei and I that God is truly in charge. We've been working hard with a few investigators for month and they have still not been able to be baptized. However, Wang JieMei was able to accept this important ordinance in a stunningly short amount of time.  God truly is at the helm.  We also have another baptism scheduled for Tuesday night! We LOVE Li xiang zhen and are nothing short of giddy that we get to see her baptism together. So many miracles!
 
  So... I have some big news. Last week, we had our interviews with the President. President Day is so wonderful. I know He is called of God to lead this mission. After the end of our interview, I remember President's dark eyes sobering and looking directly into mine. In a very loving way, he told me that he had a special calling for me... He then told me he was calling me to be a trainer for one of the new missionaries arriving in Taiwan this week.

  I am, quite literally, numb. Yet, God is giving me this miraculous sense of peace. I need to prepare. I need to start praying my heart out for my area and my new companion. I am full of inadequacies. I have been on this beautiful island for less than three short months. But, I can't think of that now. I am putting myself in the hands of the Lord and I need to leave all other fears behind.

  I'm reminded of The Book of Mormon story about Ammon tending King Lamoni's sheep.  When the robbers come and scatter the sheep, Ammon's fellow-servants are overwhelmed by fear and dread. Yet Ammon is full of joy because he knows that the trial is an opportunity for the Lord to manifest His power.  I'm learning to be like Ammon. I'm trying to be grateful for the unknown. I know this next phase will change me even more than the last. Trying to be as diligent and malleable as possible.
 
Time to see more miracles.
 
Love you dearly, best of luck as you head back to schoool!
Sister Barden

Aug 18, 2013
Dearest Family!
 
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN! I thought of you your entire birthday. Love you, you crazy wonderful redhead. :)
 
 One of the great blessings of missionary work is the opportunity to daily rely on the power of the Holy Ghost. In missionary work, it quickly becomes apparent that your own power is far from sufficient. Thus, you try to rely on the quiet, clear, and peaceful promptings of the spirit to guide your service every minute of every day. I've gained a greater understanding of the importance of keeping ourselves in the right "spot" to receive revelation from the Lord.
 
  This week, I've been pondering a certain comparison from my life to help me better understand how I can keep myself in the right spiritual location to hear the spirit. When I worked as a Congressional intern in Washington DC, I had the opportunity to provide capitol tours for the constituents of the MN 03  District. I relished this responsibility of showing others the wonder of such an exquisite and historic site. One of my favorite parts of the tour took place in a very special location known as the "whisper spot". After entering the elaborate hall that traditionally housed the House of Representatives, I would guide each group across the marble floor to a seemingly ordinary tile. There I would instruct the group to stand close together before making my way to another distant tile at the far end of the room. Arriving at another specific spot that I knew well, I would bend my head down and quietly whisper something to my group. Immediately their heads would pop up above the rest of the tourists in surprise, their huge smiles seeming to tell me "We heard you?!!" The perfect half-dome shape of the former H of R is responsible for this memorable phenomenon. When standing on one exact, small tile, one can hear the whisperings on the other side of the room with stunning clarity. Some even say John Quincy Adams kept his desk at that particular spot for the full length of his service so he could eavesdrop on the opposing party. As I think about hearing the Holy Ghost, I remember the "whisper spot" on capitol hill. If we allow frustration, discouragement, fatigue, or doubt into our hearts, we move away from the small radius of the floor tile and can no longer hear the quiet and clear whisper of the Holy Ghost.  Finding that small, precious tile can be hard. It can look just like any other spot and takes practice to be able to recognize at first glance. But, as we seek out and find that tile more quickly, the message becomes clearer and our ability to receive it improves.
 
   ON friday, we had the special opportunity to go with a small group of missionaries to a big Youth Conference in Yilan. Miao JM was asked to bear her testimony and I sang in the small choir. The drive was nothing short of stunning. Taipei is so large that most of us have never left the city center that spreads across the North East of the island. Huge, mist-tipped mountains tower over valleys crammed with buildings, the roads lined with dense , green vegetation. The conference took place high up on a mountain, the view opening up to reveal the Taiwanese coast and famous Turtle island. Breathtaking. I loved mingling with these incredible youth. I have a special young friend from Beitou and I occasionally see her at firesides, etc. Every time she sees me she nearly ploughs me over with a huge hug! Youth Conference was no exception ;) . So grateful for her love.
  The bus ride home from Yilan was very memorable. WE all sat in the dark bus, the rain drizzling across the big windows. WE talked quietly while others slept. I had a beautiful and peaceful feeling, even a familliar thought. I felt i was suddenly back on a big bus in the MIddle East, one of our amazing professors (Ludlow, Harper, Huntsman) answering our countless doctrinal questions from over seats or in the aisle. It truly seemed magic to me. I love these missionaries.
 
Every day is stuffed with memories. Sometimes it seems there isn't time to unpack them all in my head! Changing so much. Learning so much.
 
Love you all - Have a wonderful week!
 
Sister Barden

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RE: From Taiwan - August 12, 2013

Dear Family,
    There are few things more terrifying than Miao JieMei armed with a bottle of cleaning solution as she takes out a cockroach the size of your palm. She killed that massive bug (see attached photo) and I think it is one of the most impressive feats I have seen in a long time. Wow.
 
     We had a baptism on Wed! Zhan Huai Qi is the eight year old daughter of a wonderful less active sister. We met Zhan JM and her daughter last month when we received a phone call asking if we could help prepare a young girl for baptism. Zhan JM has a fervent desire that her currently less active family all be sealed in the temple. For weeks, Zhan JM brought little Huai Qi to the chapel so we could teach her.  I remember watching their family beaming on the front row of the congregation as I played the piano for the baptism. The room as full and Zhan JieMei was all smiles. I can feel how dearly she wishes to be sealed with her family in the temple. Her husband was able to baptize Huai qi. This was a miracle moment for their family! He's had many troubles recently but the bishop still asked if he could help his daughter be baptized. For awhile, Zhan JieMei seemed really hesitant and worried if he was willing/worthy, but that evening everything felt it was as it should be.  Watching them all sitting together, I was filled with such hope. I WANT them to make it to the temple! I felt that Huai qi's baptism could be a turning point for them, that such an eternal reminder would help them all be more committed to the precious gift of an eternal family.

   Another one of our young 15 year old investigators watched the baptism with tears streaming down her face. She wants to be baptized SO deeply. Her parents seem to be turning from their "Christian" faith and have brought idols into their home again. She's so afraid to ask them. I am so humbled by the depth and sincerity of her desires. These beautiful people are forever changing what the baptismal ordinance and gift of the Holy Ghost mean to me. They are life changing, and aside from them and the other gospel ordinances few things have great import. They are teaching me profound faith, endless patience...pure and simple hope.
 
How I love them!
 
Count the blessings. We already have so many more than we choose to see.
 
Love you all so dearly,
Sister Barden

 

Biking in Taiwan August 2013

August 4, 2013 from Taiwan

Dearest Family (ALL of you!)
 
  I know you are all gathering at our beautiful Sun Valley family reunion this week! Save an empty chair for me at the table and know that I am feeling so much love for you even though I'm 1/2 a world away. If Aubrey is able to come this year, tell her she needs to eat plenty of peanut butter fudge for herself AND even more for the baby :)
 
 This week, I again feel so humbled by the opportunity to be a missionary. Miao JM and I are working very hard and the Lord is richly blessing our investigators here in JiLong. I've often found myself pondering over the truth that God has called me to this corner of the world. I think: who am I to help these dear people? I am a young and inexperienced foreigner - am I truly qualified to help the Taiwanese face their overwhelming challenges? I've often thought of the prophet Enoch's words in Moses, Chapter 6.  Like Enoch, I have felt times where I have "bowed ..before the Lord..saying...I am but a lad (YW ;)), and all the people hate me, for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?" I testify that the Lord's answer in verse 34 is extended to all those He has called. The Lord tells Enoch "my spirit is upon you, therefore all thy words will I justify... therefore walk with me".

  I am particularly taken by that last phrase. This is the Lord's work, He is already working in every element of missionary service, in every process of building His kingdom. We just need to walk with Him having humility toward ourselves and perfect confidence in Him.
 
 This week really has been extraordinary. I remember one day, despite extra training in the morning and a member dinner apointment, we had 7 lessons in one day! God truly makes anything possible.
 
I want to share about one of our beloved investigators: Tang Nai Nai. She is in her sixties and full of humor! A few weeks ago she had a baptismal date scheduled. Alas, the day before, she told her son of the event and he was adamently against her dicision. We've been continually visiting her. We take a long bus ride to her home and have a lesson out in the dark as she waits for the garbage truck. We sit on a quiet, car-packed street under the stark illumination of bright white lights. Somehow it seems very much like a scene at Privet Drive in a Harry Potter novel. We love Tan Nai nai and continue to pray for her. She's started coming to church again! Pray for her!
 
I can scarcely believe it is August. I feel tender but confident in the power of the Lord. I feel very changed for the better. I know that the more I forget myself and love these people fiercely, openly, unconditionally; the more God blesses me, the more I understand of His work and the small role I play in it.
 
"Share the Gospel everywhere, and if necessary, use words" - St. Francis of Assisi
 
So. profoundly. true. Try speaking Chinese ;)
 
Love you All!
Sister Barden